Process or method of automatically lubricating wheels.



No, 794.746. 2 PATENTED JULY 18, 1905. W. K. RICHARDSON. PROCESS 0RMETHOD OF AUTOMAT IGALLY LUBRIGATING WHEELS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 10. 1905.

III/L1 10 mu ca, umocmmzna wasmumou u c UNITED STATES Patented July 18,1905.

PATENT FHCE.

WVILLIAM K. RICHARDSON, OF LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS.

PROCESS OR METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY LUBRICATING WHEELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 794,746, dated July 18,1905.

Application filed February 10, 1905. Serial No. 245,053.

To all whont it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM K. RICHARD- SON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Leavenworth, in the county of Leavenworth and Stateof Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Processesor Methods of Automatically Lubricating Wheels, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to a process or method of ejecting a solidifiedlubricant from a reservoir by means of the expansion of air therein, andhas for its object to evolve a process or method whereby the lubricationof wheels shall be effected automatically, reliably, and only whenneeded.

Various methods and apparatus have been considered and devised forlubricating wheels, such as trolley-wheels, which are rotated at highspeed; but none of said methods or devices, as far as my knowledgeextends, automatically supplies the lubricant to the journal when thelatter becomes dry and invariably before the temperature is materiallyraisedc'. a, raised sufficiently to melt a solidified lubricantandsupplies such lubricant in quantities sufiicient to sustain perfectlubrication of the bearings, and thus insures long life of the workingparts.

In carrying out my invention I employ a hollow pin or spindle madeair-tight, except at a point or points in its lower side, and providedat one end, by preference, with a removable plug or cap for closing thespindle with an air-tight joint. Through said open end a solidifiedlubricant is introduced into by frictional engagement of the wheelthereon, the spindle heating the air contained therein by radiation andconduction. The expansion of the air subjects the lubricant to pressure,and therefore forces out a portion of the lubricant through the orificeor orifices. By the rotation of the wheel this ejected luor atmosphericpressure within the pin.

bricant is spread'over the bearing, and the spindle is lubricated andfriction eliminated to such an extent that the spindle cools.

A further step in the process or method is the automatic restoration ofthe air to normAal s the spindle cools there is a corresponding fall inthe temperature of the air contained within the pin or spindle, whichlessens its molecular repulsion or pressure, and a partial vacuumexists, or, in other Words, a rarefied air occupies the air-space withinthe pin. Therefore there is an excess of pressure on the outside of thespindle, and the air from the outside rushes into the spindle throughthe lubricating orifice or orifices to establish an equilibrium betweenthe pressure inside and outside of the pin or spindle, and this volumeof air admitted to the spindle is proportionate to the volume of thelubricant ejected, so as to restore the air within the pin to normal oratmospheric pressure, that it may under a second slight rise intemperature again expand and expel solidified lubricant from thespindle. This action is repeated until the lubricant is exhausted.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have produced or evolved aprocess or method of automatically discharging a lubricant in solidifiedform for lubricating wheels efficiently, reliably, and economically andby which the lubricant is ejected from the spindle in required quantityand at times when lubrication is necessary, by which method a singlecharge of solidified oil in the pin or spindle insures the properlubrication of the wheel for a longer period of time than is possiblewith the types of lubricating apparatus enumerated belowfor instance,springs or agitators which expel the lubricant continuously and indisregard of requirements or where the solidified lubricant is convertedinto a liquid state by heat generated by friction and drained from thereservoir by its static pressure direct on the hearing or to collateralappendages which assist in retaining and distributing the lubricant.

It is further obvious that a pin or spindle of hardened steel that isnot subject to high temperature will not lose its temper, and this isvery necessary in the pin or spindle for trolley-wheels, as they revolveat a high rate of speed, and by the adoption of my method for thelubrication of wheels it has been demonstrated that one filling of thepin or spindle will lubricate the bearings throughout the life of thatpart of the Wheel which is in contact With the wire and that one spindleWill outlast several wheels.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, which represents a centralvertical section of the pin or spindle and a trolley-wheel mountedthereon, 1 indicates the hollow pin or spindle forming a reservoir, and2 the orifice or orifices thereof.

3 indicates the closure plug or cap, 4 the lubricant, and 5 theair-space above the lubricant.

6 indicates the wheel journaled on the pin or spindle, and 7 atrolley-wire engaged by the wheel to cause it to revolve and by frictionraise the temperature of the pin or spindle, as hereinbefore explained.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is v 1. The process of lubricating whichconsists in establishing a supply of solidified lubricant in areceptacle, confining a body. of air above the lubricant, and heatingthe air to cause it to exert a pressure on the lubricant and expel it ina solidified state.

2. The process of lubricating which consists in establishing a supply ofsolidified lubricant over a restricted exit in a receptacle, confining abody of air above the lubricant, heating said air to thereby exert apressure on the lubricant and expel it in a solidified state, andreplenishing the supply of air to preserve the normal pressure of thesame on the lubricant.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signaturein the presence of twowitnesses.

WILLIAM K. RICHARDSON.

Witnesses:

H. O. RODGERS, G. Y. THORPE.

